West End Community Centre volunteers were seen early this morning working hard to clear the snow off of the two ice surfaces at the centre after a weather system dropped about 10 centimetres of snow on the city.   The volunteers have spent many hours flooding the rinks to get them ready for the season and they are pleased to announce that the West End surfaces will officially open and be ready for public use tomorrow!   This is great news for Brandon School Division students as there is no school on Friday. The West End Community Centre is located at 247-23rd Street. They have two ice surfaces, one for hockey and one for exclusive to skating without sticks and pucks. So gear up, take advantage of the great forecast and enjoy your first outdoor skate of the year!   If you’re not into skating, but find the winters to be long and boring why not consider volunteering at your local community centre? Many of the centres rely on local volunteers (as well as donations) to keep the doors open and as we all know, many hands make light work.   For details and contact information on Brandon’s community centres, visit: http://www.brandon.ca/community-centres/centre-information.  

Wednesday afternoon, a two-vehicle collision occurred at the intersection of 18th St and Rosser Ave in Brandon, involving a 4-door sedan and a police SUV. The crash sent the 4-door sedan up onto the north-east curb of the intersection, coming into close proximity to the "Discover Downtown" barrier that runs along that sidewalk. It is unknown if the police SUV was responding to an emergency at the time of the incident. Thankfully nobody appeared to be injured in the collision, and Accel Towing & Transport was called in to clean up the wreck.  Photo by Liam Pattison Photography.

BRANDON – Strong international enrolment has driven Brandon University’s student population to new heights with a sixth straight year of growth. Brandon University is home to 3,662 students this year, an increase of 3.0 per cent from 3,554 last year, and an overall rise of more than 25 per cent since 2012. Total credit hours, based on the number and length of courses that students are taking, stand at nearly 70,000 across the five faculties at BU, also up slightly from last year. International headcount rose by 82 students, but other enrolment figures and first-time registrations have remained relatively steady this year in a sign that BU’s strong string of recent growth may be tapering off. “Our substantial growth in international enrolment is evidence that word is getting out around the world about the quality of education that we offer at Brandon University, and these international students in turn bring tremendous diversity and vibrancy to our community,” said Dr. Steve Robinson, BU’s Interim President and Vice-Chancellor. “We must continue to work to demonstrate to all students the value of a BU education, and to provide the supports and services that will attract students and allow them to be successful in their educational pursuits.” Official statistics at BU are recorded based on November numbers, to best account for late registrations and most of the course changes that naturally happen in the early parts of the academic year.

As the Manitoba government works toward fixing the provinces finances, Manitoba Hydro, Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation and Manitoba Public Insurance have reduced overall management positions and management salaries by more than 15 per cent, Crown Services Minister Colleen Mayer announced today. “Our government continues to make progress toward balancing the budget and the management and salary reductions are strong steps forward,” said Mayer.  “All three Crown corporations met or exceeded the 15 per cent reduction requirement and are helping us move the province in the right direction.” The three Crown corporations were directed to examine and reduce management staff starting May 1, 2016, concluding March 31, 2018.  MNP LLP conducted an audit of each Crown’s compliance.  The audit included an examination of processes to ensure that reductions were permanent and that eliminated positions were not filled by contractors or held as vacant positions.  MNP confirmed no eliminated positions were filled via secondment or an arm’s length agency.   Staffing and Salary Reductions Totals Total number of management positions as of May 1, 2016 553 Total number of management positions eliminated (149) Total number of management positions added that did not exist prior to May 1, 2016 19 Total number of management positions as of March 31, 2018 423 Average percentage reduction May 1, 2016, to March 31, 2018 -23.4 per cent Total salary cost savings from eliminated positions $3.8 million   Total salaries eliminated amounted to $3.8 million and 149 management positions were eliminated.  Of those positions, 138 were filled at the time.

Coppers Shoppers is a new program that pairs local police officers with community Youth for a fun day of holiday shopping. The program is being introduced in Brandon through the partnership of Brandon Crime Stoppers, Brandon Police Association, Brandon Police Service, Shoppers Mall and many other Community Sponsors. During Coppers Shoppers, 20 Youth from the Brandon Community between the ages of 12 to 15 will receive a $200 Shoppers Mall Gift Card to purchase Christmas gifts for their family and friends. A member of the Brandon Police Service will accompany the Youth on their shopping trip to assist with selecting the perfect items, carrying the parcels and providing enjoyable company. When the shopping is complete, a Gift Wrap and Christmas Card station will be available to wrap up and address all the purchases made. This year’s Coppers Shoppers event will take place on December 1, 2018 at Shoppers Mall from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. “Coppers Shoppers is a brilliant program that will allow our officers to provide leadership to Youth at an influential time during their journey of life,” says Brandon Police Constable Grant McKay. “Our officers look forward to fun and festive elements of the event.” “Brandon Crime Stoppers is excited to be involved with Coppers Shoppers, as it is such a feel good initiative that will have a life-long impact on the Youth in our Community, plus bring smiles to many faces on Christmas morning,” adds Rick Thomson, Brandon Crime Stoppers Board Chair. The program is intended to capture the essence of the Christmas season and provide Youth in our community with a time of mentorship. Youth participants were selected based on their academic achievements, community service and school recommendation. In addition to the $200 Shoppers Mall Gift Card sponsored by Brandon Crime Stoppers, Brandon Police Association and Brandon Police Service, the Youth will receive a swag bag filled with the following items from gracious local businesses and organizations: Pocket bac & holder – Bath & Body Works Pair of jeans – Bootlegger 2 Brandon Wheat Kings tickets – Brandon Wheat Kings Santa photo package – Cherry Hill Photo Christmas cards & assorted stocking stuffers – Coles Tea sachet & store coupon – DAVIDsTEA $10 East Side Mario’s gift certificate – East Side Mario’s Hair cut & style – Hair Today Mall Barbers Movie admission – Landmark Cinemas Toque – Manitoba Public Insurance Winter jacket – Sport Chek Soup & sandwich lunch – Tim Horton’s “The more organizations that come together, the more expansive that Coppers Shoppers can be and the more benefits that our youth can receive” says Darren Creighton, Brandon Police Association President. “Brandon is such an amazing Community and this program demonstrates how easily local businesses or organizations are willing to come together for the greater good of others.” “We’re delighted to support this great new community event with our partners at Brandon Crime Stoppers and the Brandon Police,” said Candace McKenzie, Shoppers Mall Marketing Director “We’re really looking forward to hosting the Coppers Shoppers event this weekend.”